Samaritan’s Purse offers scholarships to visually impaired students in Vietnam and supports them as they discover their passions.
When Minh was in kindergarten, his classmates refused to play with him because he was blind. He had never heard that word before, and their comments left deep wounds on his heart.
He was excited when his parents told him about a boarding school for visually impaired students. Samaritan’s Purse offered him a scholarship that covered the cost of tuition and housing. We also provided pupils with uniforms, a laptop, and a monthly stipend.
Receiving support from our staff comforted Minh as he adjusted to life away from home. He was able to pore over his studies as well as seek opportunities to develop new interests. When he joined a music program sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, he instantly discovered a passion for the drums.
Minh has performed in numerous music performances through school and at our events.
Our staff invited him to perform at Dining in the Dark—an annual event that cultivates compassion for the visually impaired community. Attendees experience what it is like to be blind—eating in the dark and performing tasks, such as playing an instrument and walking, while blindfolded. They then watch students showcase their talents in an orchestral performance.
Playing in the concert and guiding people through activities inspired him to pursue a career advocating for blind children. “I wanted to give back—not just to the event, but to the visually impaired community,” he said.
Now 23 years old, he is attending college through one of our scholarships and studying social work, learning to care for others the way our staff cared for him.
“I’ve received so much help from Samaritan’s Purse, and now I want to support others in need,” he said. “Thank you to the staff and donors who helped us with loving hearts.”
Phinh helps an attendee at “Dining in the Dark” learn how to play the guitar while blindfolded.
Dreaming Big
Cuong always wanted to be a journalist. He dreamed about stepping into challenging or dangerous situations to help people understand the world around them. Yet rather than being met with support, his family members expressed doubt because of his blindness.
“Others do not see me as a person with capacity and abilities—they just look at me with pity,” he said.
Cuong was not ready to give up on his dream. He joined our Future Journalist Club, where our staff fostered his passion by teaching him technical writing skills and challenging him to improve his capabilities.
“For the first time, I felt like people truly believed in my potential,” he said.
We offered him a scholarship to study at the Nguyen Van To Vocational Education Center, which freed him from worrying about finances so that he could enjoy activities that encouraged friendships among scholarship recipients.
Cuong (right) is developing deep friendships at school.
He is deeply impacted by the care he received from our staff. “Samaritan’s Purse didn’t just give us skills and knowledge,” he said. “It gave us a community.”
He began considering vocations where he could support vulnerable communities. Samaritan’s Purse staff helped him secure an internship at a social work center, where he worked with students and learned how to care for them through their pain.
By seeing that he had the potential to make an impact on others’ lives, Cuong decided to pursue social work in college.
“When I was a child, I experienced discrimination,” he said. “Because of the support I’ve received, I believe I can help change policies and perceptions for our community.”
Please pray for our staff as they show God’s love to visually impaired students through our education program. Pray also that the students will see their intrinsic value as men and women created in His image.
